Representing Functions as Power Series

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for appropriate values of r. Similarly, this tells us from a power series perspective that

when x is between -1 and 1. So, the function 1/(1-x) can be represented as a power series for part of its domain. In similar ways, other functions can be represented by power series.

Differentiation and integration are useful techniques for finding power series representations of functions. Differentiation and integration of power series works in a way very similar to handling polynomials: look at the series term by term. For instance, look at the power series

with radius of convergence R, and define f(x) on the interval (a-R,a+R) by setting it equal to the series. Then,

and

.

The radii of convergence of these power series will both be R, the same as the original function.

For instance, suppose you were interested in finding the power series representation of

We can find the power representation of this function like so:

,

or

.

,

where y=x/3, so

.

Thus,

.

• Return to the Power Series starting page
• Taylor Series
• Error Bounds using Taylor Polynomials

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